Apparatus and method for receiving digital multimedia broadcast service in a mobile terminal

Abstract

A method is provided for receiving a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) signal by a mobile terminal in a DMB system including a satellite for transmitting a satellite DMB signal directly to the mobile terminal, a gap filler for repeating the satellite DMB signal received from the satellite and transmitting a terrestrial DMB signal to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal capable of receiving both the satellite DMB signal and the terrestrial DMB signal. The method includes receiving at least one DMB signal; determining if there is a satellite DMB signal among the at least one DMB signal; if there is the satellite DMB signal calculating a reception frequency of the satellite DMB signal for a stated time; and if the reception frequency is less than or equal to a threshold providing a user with a message recommending detachment of an antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal.

1. A method for receiving a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) signal by a mobile terminal in a DMB system including a satellite for transmitting a satellite DMB signal directly to the mobile terminal, a gap filler for repeating the satellite DMB signal received from the satellite and transmitting a terrestrial DMB signal to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal capable of receiving both the satellite DMB signal and the terrestrial DMB signal, the method comprising:
 receiving at least one DMB signal; 
 determining if there is a satellite DMB signal among the at least one DMB signal; 
 if there is the satellite DMB signal calculating a reception frequency of the satellite DMB signal for a stated time; and 
 if the reception frequency is less than or equal to a threshold providing a user with a message recommending detachment of an antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the DMB signal comprises at least one of a gap filler identifier (ID) and a satellite ID. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the determining of whether there is any satellite DMB signal is performed using an ID included in the DMB signal. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reception frequency is measured as a ratio of the satellite DMB signals to the terrestrial DMB signals. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the procedure is performed when the antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal is attached. 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 if the reception frequency is less than the threshold determining if the antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal is attached; and 
 performing the control according to attachment of the antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal. 
 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 if the reception frequency is greater than the threshold determining if the antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal is attached; and 
 if the antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal is not attached providing the user with a message recommending attachment of the antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal. 
 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 if the reception frequency is greater than or equal to a second threshold determining if the antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal is attached; and 
 if the antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal is not attached providing the user with a message recommending attachment of the antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal. 
 
   
   
     9. An apparatus for receiving a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) signal by a mobile terminal in a DMB system including a satellite for transmitting a satellite DMB signal directly to the mobile terminal, a gap filler for repeating the satellite DMB signal received from the satellite and transmitting a terrestrial DMB signal to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal capable of receiving both the satellite DMB signal and the terrestrial DMB signal, the apparatus comprising:
 an antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal; 
 an antenna for receiving the terrestrial DMB signal; 
 a DMB signal processor for converting the received DMB signals into user data; 
 a controller for calculating a reception frequency of the satellite DMB signal for a stated time if there is a satellite DMB signal among the received DMB signals, and generating a detach command for the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal if the reception frequency is less than or equal to a threshold; and 
 a display for displaying a message recommending detachment of the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal according to the detach command received from the controller. 
 
   
   
     10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the DMB signal comprises at least one of a gap filler identifier (ID) and a satellite ID. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the controller determines whether there is a satellite DMB signal, using an ID included in the DMB signal. 
   
   
     12. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the reception frequency is measured as a ratio of the satellite DMB signals to the terrestrial DMB signals. 
   
   
     13. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the controller performs the control when the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal is attached. 
   
   
     14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a connector combiner for connecting the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal to the mobile terminal; and 
 an antenna connector connected to the connector combiner, for determining attachment of the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal. 
 
   
   
     15. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the controller determines if the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal is attached, if the reception frequency is less than the threshold, and performs the control according to attachment of the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal. 
   
   
     16. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the controller determines if the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal is attached, if the reception frequency is greater than the threshold, and displays a message recommending attachment of the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal, if the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal is not attached. 
   
   
     17. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the controller determines if the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal is attached, if the reception frequency is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and displays a message recommending attachment of the antenna for receiving the satellite DMB signal, if the antenna used for receiving the satellite DMB signal is not attached.